My Rock

Acts 27:39-44

English Standard Version (ESV)

³⁹ Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. ⁴⁰ So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. ⁴¹ But striking a reef,^[a] they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. ⁴² The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. ⁴³ But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, ⁴⁴ and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+27%3A39-44&version=ESV)

Just as Paul had stated, all of the men were spared from death and the ship was destroyed.  Oh yes, it was a good thing they listened to him and ate the bread because they needed strength to make it to shore.  Several times these men could have died, but God had other plans.  I have to wonder if any of those men became believers after Paul’s testimony. 

This is quite a testimony as to how God works in our lives.  When He has a purpose for us, there is nothing to keep us from that purpose.  The details of this event are so precise that I began to think about my own shipwrecks.  Has any part of my life seemed to get stuck and became unmovable?  Well, maybe my attitude!  Has anything ever been broken up?  I would say, my heart.  Sometimes this vessel gets stuck in storms and it seems impossible to survive yet God has a plan and there will be a time of deliverance.  Maybe, just maybe, it is time to jump ship and put my full trust in His ways.  He is our rescuer, our strength, and our deliverer.  Psalm 71:1-3English Standard Version (ESV) says it well and is my prayer:

71 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;
    let me never be put to shame!
² In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
    incline your ear to me, and save me!
³ Be to me a rock of refuge,
    to which I may continually come;
you have given the command to save me,
    for you are my rock and my fortress.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+71%3A1-3&version=ESV)

 

May we ever seek Him in times of trouble and in times of joy.

 

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila